This Is My Body
And giving thanks, He broke and said, take, eat, this is My body which is broken on behalf of you, this do in remembrance of Me. 1 Corinthians 11: 24
Draw near, and take the body of the Lord.
The Antiphonary of Bangor, the Irish monastery founded by Comgall
When Cuthbert offered up the Saving Victim as a sacrifice to God, he offered his prayer to the Lord not by raising his voice but by shedding tears which sprang from the depth of his heart.
Bede
The table of bread and wine is now to be made ready.
It is the table of company with Jesus
And with all those who love him.
It is the table of sharing with the poor of the world,
With whom Jesus identified himself.
It is the table of communion with the earth
In which Christ became incarnate.
So, come to this table,
You who have much faith
And you who would like to have more;
You who have been to this sacrament often,
And you who have not been for a long time;
You who have tried to follow Jesus,
And you who have failed.
Come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.
An invitation to Communion The Iona Community
You are very welcome, O body of Christ.
It was by your death on the cross
you who were born of the fair and gentle virgin
that the human race was redeemed
that evil was conquered.
Please do not hide your faithfulness from me
a poor sinner who approaches you.
Though I have deserved your anger
please return and help me, Lord Jesus.
Collected in Inis Mean, Aran, by An tAth. Eoghan O Gramhvaigh.
From Mount Melleray Monastery, Ireland